Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24,232, Ebenezer Forrest, Mass

SERVICE
Mass
Forrest, Ebenezer Forrest, Hannah
NUMBER
W 24.232
CONTENTS
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21.390 Massachusetts
Ebenezer Forrest of Methuen in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Smith of the Reg t commanded by Col. Whiting in the Mass a line for 23 mos & 17 days
Civil & Military
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of $78 — Dollars 56 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of Sept 1833 and sent E. V. Seland Roxbury Mass a
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $196.40 Semi-ant. allowance ending 10 Mar 34 39.28 $235.68
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. H. Adams Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 Page 26
79 Norfolk

to E. Clark July 7. 43 to Same Feb 9 43
Massachusetts - 601 Hannah Forrest, widow of Ebenezer Forrest, deceased who was a pensioner under the Act of June 7. 1832 and who died on the 7 th Sept 1837 of New Haven in the State of Mississippi who was a P.M. in the Comp y commanded by Captain Smith of the Reg t commanded by Colonel ... in the Mississippi line for 23 mos & 17 dys
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 78 Dollars 56 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834. 8 Sept 1837 -
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of Oct r 38, and sent to and S. ... Roxbury, Mississippi
Arrears to the 4th of Sept r $ 78. 56 Semi-annual allowance ending 39. 28 $ 119. 84
{ Act July 7, } { 1838. }
Recorded by R. B. ... Clerk, Book A Vol. 1 Page 87

Ebenezer Fount 10905.
Edwin S. Liland
Ms. 22.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Norfolk ss.
On this Twenty first day of August in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting at Wrentham in and for said County, Ebenezer Forrest a resident of Foxborough in said County, aged seventy three , who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th A. D. 1832.
THAT he was born at Foxborough aforesaid
on the fourteenth day of November A. D. 1759, and that there is a record of his birth thereby evidenced : that he was in the United States service from
about the first day of February A. D. 1776, to the first day of April A. D. 1776 ( 2 months ) as a Soldier in the Massachusetts Militia : that he was residing at said Foxborough
when he entered the service ; that he was a volunteer and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Captain Silas Cobb of the Regiment commanded by Colonel French
: that he marched from Foxborough to Winter Hill, from near Boston from
to : that he served in the vicinity of Boston with none of the regular troops ; and
no regular officers were known to him : that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no written discharge : that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at Foxborough aforesaid & that he has no documentary evidence of this service -
ALSO : that he was in the United States service from about the first day of June A. D. 1776, to the first day of December A. D. 1776 ( 6 months ) as a Soldier in the Massachusetts Militia : that he was residing at Foxborough
when he entered the service ; that he was a volunteer and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Josiah Smith of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Whitney
: that he marched from Foxborough to Nantasket, from to from to
: that he served at Nantasket with none of the regular troops ; and
no regular officers were known to him : that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no written discharge, all the documentary evidence he has of this service is annexed
ALSO : that he was in the United States service from about the first day of July A. D. 1777, to the first day of January A. D. 1778 ( 6 months ) as a Soldier in the Massachusetts Militia : that he was residing at Foxborough aforesaid
when he entered the service ; that he was a volunteer and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Captain Silas Cobb of the Regiment commanded by Colonel
: that he marched from Foxborough to Wrentham, from Wrentham to Natick from Natick to Needham from Needham to Dedham that he served at Dedham with none of the regular troops ; and
no regular officers were known to him : that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no written discharge, all the documentary evidence he has of this service is annexed

Also that he was in the United States Service from the about the first of October A.D. 1778 to about the first of January A.D. 1779, (3 months) as a soldier in the Massachusetts Militia; that he was residing said Foxborough when he entered the service; & that he was a volunteer & served for the period of nine weeks under the command of Captain Ward of the Regiment commanded by Col whose name is forgotten. That he marched from Foxborough to Boston & served in the vicinity of Boston with some of the regular troops; that he was in no battle & at the end of his service received no written discharge, & that he has no documentary evidence of this service.
And also that he was in the United States Service from some time in the month of August A.D. 1779 to some time in the month of May A.D. 1780, being a period of nine months, as a soldier in the Continental Army. That he was residing at said Foxborough when he entered the service, & that he enlisted & served for the period of nine months under the command of Captainorrings Stone of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Joseph Pore. That he marched from Foxborough to Worcester from thence Springfield from thence to Litchfield from thence to West Point where he was discharged by a written discharge which has been since lost. (about nine months)
Also that he was in the United States Service from the 24th of July 1777 to the 27th of August 1777 being a period of four days as a private in the Massachusetts Militia; that he was residing said Foxborough; that he was a volunteer & served for the period of four days under the command of Col. Nathaniel Dyer; that he marched from Foxborough to Stockbridge & served with the Continental troops, was not called at the end of his service & received no written discharge.
I hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
Elmer Forrest
We Willard Pierce
a clergyman, residing in the town of Foxborough
and Abijah Pratt residing in said Foxborough hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elmer Forrest who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed as aforesaid.
Willard Pierce
Abijah Pratt
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certify that it appears to them that Willard Pierce, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the said Foxborough; and that who has also signed the same is a resident in Foxborough and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
The said court further certify that Mason Cobb whose deposition is annexed is a credible witness, they also certify that Roland Green is a justice of the peace for said county of Bristol & that the name signed to the certificate to the deposition of said Mason Cobb is his signature in hand writing.
Samuel Hovey Regt. of the Court of Probate aforesaid do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Elmer Forrest for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Samuel Hovey

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Norfolk.
On this twenty first day of Au- gust A.D. 1838 personally appeared before Nathaniel Leland, Esquire, Judge of the Court of Probate in and for said County, Hannah Forrest a resident of Foxborough in said County aged seventy two years who being first duly sworn doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the Act of Congress passed July 7 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay, and pensions to certain widows" That she is the widow Ebenezer Forrest late of Foxborough in said County deceased who was a private in the army of the Revo- lution & served according to the list of her recollection eleven one year & months & a half as a private in the army of the Revolution for which service a pension was granted to him under the act of Congress of 7 th June A.D. 1832, for a particular description of the service & the officers under whom it was performed she refers to her declaration at the time her pension was granted.
She further declares that she was married to the said Ebenezer Forrest on the sixteenth day of March in the year One thousand eight hundred and eighty six. That her said husband the aforesaid Ebenezer Forrest died on the seventh day of September A.D. 1837. and that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, eighteen hundred & thirty four viz at the time of said.
Hannah Forrest
Sworn to & subscribed by the said Hannah Forrest

who by reason of bodily infirmity is unable to attend Court to make her declaration.
before me I Leland J Peabody
I Calvin Forrest of Foxborough, in the County of Norfolk & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged forty six years Testify and say that the above named Ebenezer Forrest was my father & the said Hannah Forrest is my mother that the said Ebenezer Forrest was a pensioner of the United States as a private in the army of the Revolution under the act of 7 th of June A.D. 1832 & that my mother has remained a widow ever since the decease of my father & now resides at said Foxborough.
Calvin Forrest
Norfolk.
Subscribed & sworn to by the said Calvin Forrest who is a credible witness
I Leland J Peabody
I Melatiah Everett of Wrentham in the County of Norfolk Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged sixty one years do testify & say that I have been in the town of Foxborough for the most of my life until the last six years and have been well acquainted within the within named Ebenezer & Hannah Forrest from the time of their marriage until the time of his death during which time they lived together in good spirits and harmony & brief I have brought a large family of children.
Melatiah Everett
Norfolk, August 21 st 1838 sworn to & subscribed by the said Melatiah Everett who is a credible witness before me I Leland J Peabody

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss.
I hereby certify that Sherman Leland is Judge of the said Court of Probate, & that Melitiah Eviatt & John Sherman are Justices of the Court within & for said County of Norfolk & that their respective signatures to their papers are genuine true.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the seal of said Court of Probate this twenty fifth day of August AD 1838.
Jonathan H. C. St. Register of Probate.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Norfolk, ss.
On this thirteenth day of December eighteen hundred and forty two, Personally appeared before me Warren Bird — a justice of the Peace in and for the County of Norfolk, Calvin Forrest a resident of Foscobrough in said County, fifty years of age, who being duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain arrears of Pension allowed to his deceased Mother Hannah Forrest, that he is the Lawful Child of the said Hannah Forrest who died in the aforesaid town on the twenty eight day of October eighteen hundred and forty, and left the following children who now survive, viz., Mrs. Susan Morse, Mrs. Betsey Blodgett, Mrs. Sophia Pease, Calvin Forrest, himself, Mrs. Hannah Dane, Mrs. Parmelia Place, and Emay Forrest. That his Mother the said Hannah Forrest was pensioned under the Act of the seventh of July 1838, and her pension commenced on the day of the death of her husband Ebenezer Forrest, which took place on the seventh day of September in the year eighteen hundred and thirty seven, and he now claims in behalf of himself, and the above named Lawful children of the said Hannah Forrest arrears of Pensions from the fourth of March 1836, to the seventh day of September 1837, at the rate of seventy eight dollars and fifty six cents per annum, and that the pension was paid to his said Mother at the agency at Boston in the State of Massachusetts,
Calvin Forrest

Sworn and subscribed by the within named Calvin Forrist the day and year within named; and I further certify that the said Calvin Forrist is a credible witness, and sustains the best character for truth & veracity
Attest - Warren Bird, Justice of the Peace.
I Lydia Forrist of Gorham in the county of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts eighty one years of age, do testify and say, that I have always been acquainted with the family of the late Ebenezer Forrist, deceased, that his widow, the within named Hannah Forrist, died a little more than two years since; at which time she was receiving a pension from the United States: that her children and lawful heirs are as follows. Mrs. Susan Morse, Mrs. Sophia Pettie, Calvin Forrist, Mrs. Hannah Paine, Mrs. Betsy Blodget, Mrs. Pamelia Place & Emory Forrist
Lydia Forrist
Norfolk ss. December 13 th 1842. Then personally appeared the above named Lydia Forrist who is known to me to be a person entitled to full confidence, and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by her subscribed, before me Warren Bird, Justice of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Secretary's Office Dec. 16. 1842
I hereby certify that at the date of the within attestation Warren Bird was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Norfolk
Witness the Seal of the Commonwealth
Forest F. Brewer Secretary of the Commonwealth

Town Clerk Office. Foxborough, County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts August. 20. 1838.
I hereby certify that the following appears among the Records of Marriages in said Town of Foxborough returned by Rev. Dr. Green, March Sixteenth Seventeen Hundred and Eighty Six, then Mr Ebenezer Forrist and Miss Hannah Sumner both of Foxborough aforesaid were joined together in marriage. And I further certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record Record in fair legible figures as follows, 16 March 1786.
attest, Warren Bird, Town Clerk of Foxborough.
I Warren Bird depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town of Foxborough aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said Town, with the exception abovenamed as certified by me. Warren Bird, Town Clerk of Foxborough.
Norfolk ss. Sworn & subscribed before me this 20 day of August 1838 John Sherman Justice Peace

I Warren Bird, Town Clerk of Foxborough, County and State within named do testify and say that it appears from the records of said Town that Ebenezer Forrist within named Died September Seventh, Eighteen Hundred and Thirty Seven, leaving a Widow, viz Hannah Forrist within named who is still living in said Foxborough and that the said Hannah Forrist has never been married since the decease of the said Ebenezer Forrist. Warren Bird, Town Clerk (of Foxborough)
Norfolk ss August 20. 1838
Then the above named Warren Bird made oath in due form of law that the aforementioned affidavit by him subscribed was true Before me John Sherman Justice Peace
I further certify that said Warren Bird is a credible witness John Sherman Justice Peace

10905
Ebenezer Forrest
Plants 23 mo 17 days
14. 16. 08 May 15 1893
P 398
  80.00  15    14.31  11    98.59  145     78.56     2     157.12     39.28     196.40  
E. G. Leland Esq.
Roxbury Mass

BRIEF in the case of Ebenezer French of Wrentham in the State of Mass (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 72 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Feb In 1776 2 Private Col' Goff Col' French   June 776 3 7 " Col' Smith Col' Whitney   July 777 4 26 " Col' Goff Col' Hays   Oct 778 3 10 " Col' Ward Col' M'Namer   Oct 779 9 4 " Col' Hovey Col' Vose   On Roll Service  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Foxborough Mass.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By Roll & living witnesses.  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Papers not attached or signed 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Richard Allen Examining Clerk.
47 30 17

Brighton Jan'y 30. 1893
Dear Sir,
I enclose to you herewith the certificate of the Court of Probate in the County of Norfolk, respecting the death of Mrs Mary Hayward and of her heirs at the time of her death. The declaration which was made by Jonathan Hayward Dec 20th. 1892 is in your department.
I also enclose herewith the declaration, and the Court Certificate, case of the heirs of Lydia Richardson .
I also enclose herewith the declaration, and the Court Certificate, case of the heirs of Lydia Mann .
I also enclose herewith the declaration, and the Court Certificate, case of the heirs of Mannah Forrest , which are resp't submitted.
Very Resp't You 664 Scotts - Elizabeth Black
Genl J L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions at Washington

Brighton Dec-17 th 1842
Dear Sir
I enclose to you herewith the claims of the Heirs of Lydia Richardson of Franklin, for arrears of Pension under the act of 7 July 1838. Also. The claims of the Heirs of Sybel Mann of Wrentham for arrears of Pension under the act of 1838 Also. The claims of the Heirs of Hannah Priest of Foxborough for arrears of Pension under the act of 1838. Also. The claims of Mrs Hannah Bullard of Sharon for arrears under the act of 1838.
Very Resp t ly Colt Seavent Elizah Clark
Hon J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions at Washington

10905 Ebenizer Street
E. G. Leland Esq. Roxbury Mass.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Ebenezer Ferrit Wrentham Mass. which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? no If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? no Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? no XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? no XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡ QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Rev  WIDOW, &c.  am
File No. 24232
Hannah Forrest
wid of
Ebenezer Forrest
Dis Mass Line
Act: July 7 th 88
Index:—Vol. A , Page 249
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Ebenezer Forest Mass ad 7/June when last p.d? G.M.B.
3 oct 38
p 2 to 4 Sep 1837
014

Handwritten
Payments to be made at Boston Mass by the First Natl. S. B. Bank Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Mass
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book 6 Vol. 2 Page 26 by W. Madison
Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Olenezer Forrest of the State of Massachusetts, who was a Private in the army of the Revolution is entitled to receive ~ Seventy Eight dollars and Fifty Six cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this Fourteenth day of September one thousand eight hundred and thirty- MCCC
Lewis Cass Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

I Mason Cobb of Mansfield in the county of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify & say that in the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy six Ebenezer Forrest of Foxborough in the county of Norfolk & Commonwealth aforesaid, served, two months, as a common soldier in Capt. Silas Cobb's company & in Col. Frenches regiment & that the said service was performed at Winter Hill near Boston. That he the said Mason was in the service of the United States at the same time & place & was well acquainted with the said Ebenezer Forrest
Mason Cobb
Bristol ss August 2 1832. Then personally appeared the above named Mason Cobb & made solemn oath that the statement by him subscribed is true.
Before me Roland Green Justice of the Peace and Clerk of the court Hilary D. Dole

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, May 20 1833.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that Ebenezer Forrest served as follows, viz
m D 4. 26 Under Capt Silas Cobb in Col Keyes Regt, for the period of four months & twenty six days, commencing August 7 th 1777; under Capt Josiah Smith in Col Whitney's Regt, for the period of three months & seven days, commencing August 1 st 1776; under Capt Samuel Ward, in Col Coysworth's Regt, for the period of three months & ten days, commencing September 23 rd 1778 m D 3. 7 m D 3. 10 Edward Bangs Esq
End.
m D 1. 4 It also appears that Ebenezer Forrest served in Capt Abiel Clapp's Company, in Col Carpenter's Regt, for the period of thirty four days, commencing July twenty fourth 1777 Edward Bangs Esq

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF NORFOLK, ss.
I, SHERMAN LELAND, Judge of the Court of Probate, in and for said County, hereby certify, that satisfactory evidence has been adduced to me to prove that Ebenezer Forest of Foxborough in said County, died about five years ago: That he left Hannah Forest of said Foxborough his lawful widow who also died on the twenty eighth day of October 1840 that she left Susanna Morse, Sophia Pettee, Calvin Forest, Hannah Paine, Betsey Blodget, Pamela Plase, and Ebenezer Forest her only surviving children who are still living and all over twenty one years of age.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the said Judge, have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court, this thirtieth day of January one thousand eight hundred and forty three .
S. Leland